Addis Ababa: Three Ethiopian bloggers appeared in court on Thursday with two alleging they had been beaten while in detention, a case that has been condemned internationally as an assault on press freedom.

The three are part of a group of nine bloggers and journalists accused by police of “serious crimes”, with the other six having appeared in court a day earlier. Thursday’s hearing was held in closed session.

None have yet been charged, with police requesting more time to investigate their case.

“The detainees told the presiding judge that they were beaten by the police investigators under their feet and slapped and punched on their faces,” defence lawyer Amha Mekonen told AFP.

But she said the police had denied the claim, saying “no one had touched” the detainees.